53 1/2 things that changed the world / Steve Parker ; illustrated by David West. and some that didn't!

Before history began. Walking on two legs ; Tools ; Fire ; Clothes ; Art ; Music ; Worship ; Towns ; Farming ; Wines and beers ; Horse-riding ; Wheels ; Bronze and iron ; Armies ; Boats ; Pottery ; Glass ; The rule of the law ; Schools ; Votes for the people -- The toilet -- The blast furnace -- The road -- The clock -- The piano -- The plough -- The combine harvester -- The sail -- The screw -- The telescope and microscope -- The printing press -- Medicine -- The electric light -- The electric motor -- The phonograph -- Guns and gunpowder -- Telephones and mobiles -- Radio -- Television -- The steam engine -- The internal combustion engine -- The aeroplane -- The jet engine -- The space rocket -- The satellite -- The map -- The camera -- Oil -- Electronics, computers and the internet -- The atomic bomb -- Fusion power: half an invention? -- ... And things that didn't. The safety pin ; The rattle ; Tame cats ; Kites ; Napkins ; Chess ; National anthems ; The umbrella ; The sandwich ; The rocking chair ; Invisible ink ; Chewing gum ; Cornflakes ; Horse-racing on stage ; The teddy bear ; Electric-arc ; Iron ; Spruce Goose ; The Mackerel car ; The mini-skirt ; and finally ... electric transport?

"Imagine life without music, buildings, clothes, books, engines or even speech! This is what the world would be like without these 53 1/2 things that changed the course of history. From primitive discoveries such as fire and the wheel, to modern creations such as the jet engine and the internet -- not forgetting the great inventing disasters -- this book contains them all."--Back cover.

Key Stage 2.